PUNE: Cyclone Gulab has fizzled into a depression but the system’s westward movement has resulted in a red alert for seven districts in Maharashtra, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting extremely heavy/heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated locations on Tuesday.
Pune has been put on an orange warning, with heavy to very heavy rainfall expected at isolated spots in the ghat areas on Tuesday. For the city, moderate showers are expected on Tuesday, with some intense spells in between, followed by light rainfall on Wednesday.
Anupam Kashyapi, head of weather forecasting division, IMD Pune, told TOI that Gulab weakened into a depression over north Telangana, adjoining south Chhattisgarh and Vidarbha and moved westwards. It has moved nearly westwards and weakened into a depression, and then likely to move west-northwestwards, which may weaken further into a well-marked low pressure area during the subsequent 24 hours.
“The system is likely to emerge into northeast Arabian Sea and adjoining Gujarat coast around September 30 evening. There is a likelihood for the system to further intensify over northeast Arabian Sea during the subsequent 24 hours,” he said.
Kashyapi said in association with above system, winds are likely to strengthen along the west coast of India during the next 2-3 days. “Strong westerlies from the Arabian Sea are expected to blow over Konkan and Madhya Maharashtra. Therefore, widespread rains are expected at various locations in Maharashtra. Konkan is likely to get widespread rainfall till September 30, after which it will reduce. During the next 48 hours, we also expect thunderstorm and moderately strong gusty winds across Maharashtra.”
Kashyapi said the monsoon trough lying to the south of its normal position and an east-west trough running from north Konkan to the cyclonic circulation associated with the depression, will also aid the upcoming heavy rainfall. On September 28, IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall, with extremely heavy falls at isolated places over Madhya Maharashtra and Konkan; and heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over Marathwada. On September 29, it has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated locations over Konkan only.
Kashyapi said since the system is expected to pass over north of Marathwada region while moving west-northwestwards, heavy to very heavy rains have been forecast on September 28 for the region.
Pune city could also expect moderate rains on September 28, with some intense spells in between. Light rains have been forecast for the city on September 29.
